Chicago Bears 2014 Preseason: 5 Takeaways From Week 3 Loss

Chicago Bears 2014 Preseason: 5 Takeaways From Week 3 Loss

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After getting rocked by the defending Super Bowl Champion Seahawks, the Chicago Bears have some questions that need to be answered before the start of the regular season. Here are five things to take away from the Bears' Week 3 loss.

5. Chris Conte Is Still In The Mix At Safety

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5. Chris Conte Is Still In The Mix At Safety

Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

In his first game action since having shoulder surgery just over five months ago, Chris Conte was able to play well enough to keep his name in the mix for the Bears' starting safety. It seems as of now that no player wants to step up and take the starting job based on their play, though Conte was able to step up big in run support at times and was flying all over the field dishing out big hits, a good sign that his shoulder is 100%.

4. Poor Tackling Plagues The Defense

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4. Poor Tackling Plagues The Defense

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The major theme of the Chicago Bears last season was a historically bad defense. Now after a major overhaul of the defensive line, the Bears are still looking like the defense of 2013. The team just can't seem to find a way around poor tackling and major mistakes, which is something they desperately need to resolve over the next two weeks.

3. Special Teams Are Still A Cause For Concern

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3. Special Teams Are Still A Cause For Concern

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For the third straight week the special teams unit of the Chicago bears struggled. If punter Pat O'Donnell hadn't made a shoestring tackle, they would have given up their second return TD of this preseason. Moving forward the Bears need to solidify their special teams so they can keep their defense out of tough field positions heading into the regular season.

2. Jimmy Clausen Takes Lead in Backup QB Battle

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2. Jimmy Clausen Takes Lead in Backup QB Battle

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While the competition in not yet over, jimmy Clausen certainly passed the eye test in Week 3 in the battle for the backup QB spot. While Jordan Palmer was the first one of the bench, Clausen looked worlds better on the field. His command of the offense and his presence on the field is what sets him apart from Palmer and is what ultimately will win him the spot.

1. Still No Kick Returner

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1. Still No Kick Returner

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

As the Bears attempt to find a replacement for Devin Hester, they trotted out a few different returners this week against the Seahawks, and with the offensive explosion from Seattle, the Bears had plenty of looks at their returners. And for the third straight week, no single returner stood out among the rest. The one silver lining for the team this week was the lack of miscues on the return side for the first time this preseason.